Jackson recruits David James to help coach his athletes

Edwin Moses and Michael Johnson, two of the greatest names in athletics, have been recruited by Colin Jackson to help him when he resumes his coaching career. The England international goalkeeper David James will also be part of the Welshman's new team to work with Tim Benjamin and Rhys Williams.

Benjamin, Europe's top 400 metres runner in 2005, and Williams, the European 400m hurdles bronze medallist, left their respective coaches last week to join Jackson, who is returning to an active role having not trained anyone since he worked with Jamie Baulch more than six years ago.

The former world 110m hurdles record holder has already used his contacts to arrange for the Americans Moses and Johnson to offer advice to Benjamin and Williams. Moses claimed two Olympic gold medals in the 400m hurdles at Montreal in 1976 and Los Angeles in 1984 and won more than 120 consecutive races.

Johnson, meanwhile, won five Olympic titles, nine world gold medals and still holds the world records for the 200m and 400m. "There's probably no one better in the history of athletics for the guys to get guidance from - Ed is the best ever in Rhys' discipline and Michael is the best ever in Tim's," said Jackson.

"I've already arranged for Rhys to spend a few days with Ed when he comes to Britain in October. I told Ed 'Just tell Rhys about yourself, give him some tips and advise him what it takes to be the best'.

"Michael is also a friend. I once asked him who he'd most like to coach in athletics and he replied, 'I'd love to coach Tim Benjamin.' I'll be coaching them for the majority of the time but the beauty of having such good and experienced friends is that Tim and Rhys will have a different voice from time to time. And, by God, they'll need it soon enough. The magic of working with me will soon wear off."

But it is the move for James that appears the most puzzling, although Jackson justifies it because he believes the Portsmouth goalkeeper can offer priceless media advice.

"I've got a useful contacts book," said Jackson. "One of my good friends is David and I've spoken to him about giving the boys advice on how to deal with pundits constantly criticising you in public. Unfortunately David is an expert on dealing with that.

"At times David must feel like the world is against him but he keeps getting back up to try to do better. Everyone makes mistakes - you must learn how to deal with them. In the high-profile world of professional sport, you can't just curl up into a little ball, you must get back out there and produce the goods. David will advise Tim and Rhys how to handle pressure, how to stay positive and show why they're on the right track."